Biographies

Rob McCann

Rob heads up the VAT practice within the firm and is responsible for providing high quality VAT advice to large corporate groups and other businesses within the private sector. Furthermore, Rob is a leading provider of VAT solutions to Housing Associations, Charities and other not for profit organisations.

Although Rob advises on all areas of VAT legislation, particular specialisms include partial exemption, land and property, international trade and issues affecting the charity/not for profit sector.

Rob has managed several large-scale projects that have led to multi-million pound VAT reclaims for the motor industry and gaming industry. Other recent successes include the negotiation of ‘special’ VAT recovery methods for several not-for profit organisations leading to significant refunds of additional VAT, the restructuring of a property deal to remove a potential VAT liability of more than £1 million and negotiation with HMRC to remove a VAT assessment issued to a corporate body of more than £1.5 million.

Outside of the office Rob enjoys watching and playing several sports, travel and relaxing with his young family.

David Miller

David has been involved with VAT and Customs for over 23 years both within HM Revenue & Customs firstly as an Customs officer and then as a VAT officer and since 1999 as a VAT & Customs consultant.

As well as being very experienced in assisting clients with VAT issues, David heads up The Customs People which is the Customs & Authorised Economic Operator [AEO] advisory arm of the company and this specialises in assisting importers in particular operate as efficiently as possible in respect of imports and exports.

His recent work has included assisting one importer with the removal of a £1.2M import VAT and import duty bill, recovering £140,000 overpaid duty for another importer which also included securing a ruling that ensures a further £280,000 will be saved and assisting a educational institution recover almost £50,000 in overpaid VAT and duty as well as advising on how to make changes to their system to avoid the need for future claims.

Away from the office, David likes to watch [but not play] all sports but especially following the trials and tribulations of both West Ham United & St Helens Rugby League Club as well as spending time at his recently acquired holiday home in Northumberland.

Ivan Atkins

Ivan has been employed in VAT for 36 years. Initially, he worked for HM Revenue & Customs as a VAT inspector and then as a fraud investigator. After 15 years of collecting VAT he ventured into consultancy with one of the Big 4. Ultimately, he decided that the challenge of setting up his own consultancy business was too big an opportunity to miss and with others he started the business that is now the VAT People.

Ivan is now the senior member of the firm (only because of his age) and still enjoys dealing with clients and managing the business.

In his time away from the work place he enjoys being with his family, travelling abroad and playing golf.

Steve Howard

Following six years with HM Revenue & Customs, Steve joined The VAT People in 2001.
Steve has a wide VAT knowledge including advising clients on land and property issues and partial exemption special methods.

Steve has particular expertise in advising the motor trade on VAT matters including making VAT repayment claims from HMRC.

With over 15 years of experience Steve can provide practical solutions to a wide range of VAT issues. Steve has strong negotiation skills and has significantly reduced assessments for a number of clients and renegotiated several partial exemption special methods.

When out of the office Steve likes to spend as much time as possible watching sport, including rugby league and football, he enjoys attending gigs and holidaying in the UK with his young family.

Lindsay Gibbons

Lindsay trained and qualified as a Chartered Tax Advisor specialising in Indirect Taxes with one of the Big 4 accountancy firms. Lindsay joined The VAT People in 2008 and has over ten years of VAT experience.

Lindsay advises clients ranging from small owner managed businesses to large international corporations. Lindsay has a very wide knowledge of VAT; however she has particular expertise in land and property transactions, advising not-for-profit and charitable organizations and cross-border trading. Lindsay is also an experienced VAT trainer.

Away from the office Lindsay enjoys overseas travel, going to concerts and relaxing with her young family.

Tamara Habberley

Tamara has over 20 years experience in VAT. Prior to joining The VAT people in 2008 she was a VAT inspector for HMRC and then subsequently became a VAT consultant with one of the Big 4 where she passed her AIIT exams. This was followed by 8 years at a mid tier firm.

Tamara has a real passion and enthusiasm for creating VAT opportunities and resolving VAT issues for her clients. These range from small one man bands to PLC's as well as a number of regional and national charities. She really enjoys the buzz from helping her clients to both understand and overcome often complex VAT situations to their financial benefit and has a wide ranging portfolio of work. This includes advising on international supplies, land and property, partial exemption and is presently advising an increasing number of clients on the VAT implications of e commerce supplies of goods and services throughout the world.

One of the many roles Tamara also enjoys is delivering VAT training to a number of our clients. She now heads up our training division.

Tamara always keeps in mind that the most important thing is that VAT always equals money for her clients. She has been able to recover lost VAT and reduce assessments equivalent to many millions of pounds for her clients over her time as a VAT consultant.

Outside of work Tamara enjoys entertaining and being entertained by her young son and looking after and competing on her horse. She has also recently rekindled her love of creating art work.

Andy Connolly

Our most recent recruit, Andy joined us in September 2011 as a VAT Assistant working extensively with the firm’s directors in a vital support but hands on role. Andy has worked in the VAT field for a number of years both in industry and with a Top 20 and then Big 4 firm at a junior level.

Away from work Andy has a keen interest in photography and motor sports although not necessarily at the same time.